I created this post to discuss how an artist can think technically about achieving an intended value key discussed in the previous post. This method helps to simplify an overwhelming number of values into a more workable structure at early stages of a painting (a digital one in this case). The loose renderings below are quick head studies from my imagination as they might be lit for dramatic and compositional purposes. I began with this basic head drawing which indicates some of the major…

On color value: All of us, beginners and experienced painters alike, can benefit from a refresher course in the bedrock principles of ...

What is value in art?Generally, people think a color is something you find across a rainbow, in all its many variants and names, such as red, blue, violet, sage, aubergine, etc. However, color itself has three components: hue, saturation, and, value. If you want to create beautiful color harmony in your work, your values must be accurate. It is impossible to have good color harmony and design in your paintings if you are not skilled with values. Value in art is one of the 7 elements of art…

For me, even a simple landscape painting needs to have three basic elements. A foreground, midground and background. How those three elements are handled will

Learn how to start a painting with the first three (light, medium and dark) color values, in order to help create a realistic sense of light from the start.

Still life value study - 6x6" (demo) A couple of months ago I put out a challenge to anyone who wanted to take on doing 50 value studies in 30 days, ideally from life. We also set up a challenge over on the Daily Paintworks site for those who wanted to simply take one crack at it. (This challenge is still on if you want to join in.) The idea is to use only 4 values (white and black included) to portray your subject. What this forces you to do is make decisions about where values must be…

Value study

Do you ever get confused about tonal values? Here is a free poster to help you make sense of them with a value study.

Learn how making thumbnail sketches and using them as value studies helps you create winning painting compositions. How to sketch the value and tone relationships and how to create an interesting composition by testing out value and tone of your masses. Tips to plan a good painting.